Australian Open Day 6: Murray and Konta Through, Muguruza Out
Locker Room
January 23, 2016
Andy Murray defeated Joao Sousa, apparently unaware that his father-in-law, Nigel Sears had collapsed in the stands while watching the player he currently coaches, Ana Ivanovic.
By the time Murray had clinched his 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Sousa, the family crisis seemed to be over. Sears, 58, who had apparently fallen heavily on steps at Rod Laver Arena, was soon reported to be recovering well in hospital, conscious and talking.
And that better news will have come as a considerable relief to Andy’s wife Kim, who is heavily pregnant back home in Britain. Unsurprisingly, Murray was not expected to talk to the media any time soon, in light of what had happened.
Earlier Johanna Konta had breezed through to the last 16 with an impressive win over Denisa Allertova. In doing so, Konta became the first Brit woman to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open since Jo Durie and Anne Hobbs back in 1987.
The biggest tennis shock of the day came when Garbine Muguruza, the third seed in Melbourne, was knocked out by Barbora Strycova. The match wasn’t even close as Muguruza, last year’s Wimbledon finalist, dropped serve four times and lost 3-6, 2-6 to the world number 48.